All of the honeybee colonies tested by the researchers were positive for both viruses, an unfortunate but common occurrence for commercial colonies.
But the number of wild bumblebees carrying viruses varied depending on the proximity to the domesticated hives. There was also variation between the two viruses.
More than 90 percent of bumblebees collected close to apiaries carried black queen cell virus. In sites farther from apiaries, and where no honeybees were foraging, just under 40 percent were positive for this virus. When the researchers checked for actual infections, they found that the proximity to an apiary wasn’t telling of whether a bumblebee was infected with black queen cell virus. That means sites near and far from a commercial beehive had the same abundance of black queen cell virus infections. The connection was clearer for deformed wing virus infections. Twenty percent of bumblebees foraging close to apiaries carried the virus on their outsides and 10 percent had active infections. But in sites more than a half mile away from an apiary, where honeybees were absent, not a single bumblebee tested positive for deformed wing virus — as a carrier or with an infection..
When the researchers looked at infected flowers, they noticed a similar trend. Of the 20 percent of flowers that tested positive for viruses, all were picked close to apiaries. And the denser the flower patch in these areas, the higher the rate of deformed wing virus infection in bumblebees.
Which sentence accurately evaluates how well the “What they found” section contributes to the author’s claims?
(1 point)
Responses
The author includes quotations from people who were not involved in the study, which detracts from the author’s claims because this information is not relevant.
The author includes quotations from people who were not involved in the study, which detracts from the author’s claims because this information is not relevant.
The author’s claims are developed by explaining how an increase in plant diversity halts virus transmission among bees.
The author’s claims are developed by explaining how an increase in plant diversity halts virus transmission among bees.
The author’s claims are well supported by examples of how farmers are improving bee management.
The author’s claims are well supported by examples of how farmers are improving bee management.
The author includes quotations from experts, but their claims are hypothetical and more research is required.
1 answer
The sentence that accurately evaluates how well the “What they found” section contributes to the author’s claims is:
The author includes quotations from experts, but their claims are hypothetical and more research is required.
This statement reflects the idea that while the findings present valuable insights into the interaction between honeybees and bumblebees regarding virus transmission, further investigation may be necessary to draw definitive conclusions or actionable recommendations.
